Raffenberg, legislators discuss funding issues
Josephine County Commission Chairman Jim Raffenburg traveled to the state capitol in Salem on Wednesday, May 16 to lobby state leaders for assistance in light of discontinued federal funding and a failed May 15 public safety levy.
Raffenburg provided details of his trip to fellow Commissioner Dave Toler during a Friday, May 18 regular business session. Commissioner Dwight Ellis was absent from the meeting.
During his trip, Raffenburg met with Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem), House Speaker Jeff Merkley (D-Portland) and Ray Naff, who handles intergovernmental relations for Gov. Kulongoski’s office.
“Nobody at this point can say that Salem is unaware of this,” Raffenburg said.
He notd that Josephine is one of six counties designated by Courtney as being in “crisis.” Josephine and Curry counties are the two counties in Oregon that are the most at risk of having to shut their operations.
Merkley expressed interest in using state resources to aid Josephine and Curry counties before the 2007 legislative session adjourns in late June, Raffenburg said, while Courtney wants to wait until February.
There are actions that can occur at the state level to alleviate the fiscal pressures on struggling counties, Raffenburg said. Possibilities include a one-time grant from the state’s reserves; the lifting of matching mandates for some state grants; and legislation allowing county officials to raise property tax without a vote of their citizens.
Although Merkley seemed sympathetic, Raffenburg said the Speaker “didn’t want to commit to anything.”
During the long-term, legislators may completely reform how state and county governments are funded, and may look to implement a statewide sales tax attached to an overall reduction in property taxes. The property tax reduction would make a sales tax much more politically feasible, Raffenburg said.
“I don’t think we’ll see a sales tax unless something else went away,” he said.
An emergency task force has been formed to examine solutions to the fiscal difficulties, and is comprised of representatives and senators from the six “crisis” counties and staffers from the legislature’s revenue and budget committees, Raffenburg said.
He said he suggested to Naff that Kulongoski “reconnect with the people of Southern Oregon.” Toler stated he has been trying for several weeks to persuade the governor to visit the region.
“It’s going to take a little convincing, I think,” Toler said.
Raffenburg said he plans to return to Salem on Wednesday, June 6 for a follow-up visit.
